Cheap suspension fork or rigid ?

[slawek371]

I have suntour XCR LO on my MTB now, recently i saw that there are some holes in my dumper strut, here are pictures -->
http://postimg.org/image/tmjszbsg3/

These holes can extend with time as material works so that fork may break.
I'm thinking about getting something new, my suntour XCR isn't working well, it is sluggish, it bows only on bigger holes but i think it's enough so that i can ride with it a bit faster and comfortable on rough roads than on rigid. My question is, is there a big difference between cheap suspension fork(i can't afford for anythhing better than suntour XCR) and rigid fork ?
I ride on many different terrains, sometimes, quite rough offroad, sometimes plain roads(like for road bike) but usually it's mixed a bit offroad and road(i use semi slick tires 26x2.0 so with lower pressure it's ok offroad and with higher good for road).
I heard about cyclocross bikes, they are with quite narrow tires and without suspension but people use it on offroad and it's also fast on roads so i thought that i may save some money buying cheaper and lighter rigid instead of sluggish and heavy suspension fork. Do u think it is a good idea to put it on my bike ? Is rigid fork going to make me much slower on rough forest paths comparing to cheap suspension fork ?

This is my bike --> http://postimg.org/image/k4kk6gv59/

Edited by slawek371 on Tuesday 8th April 15:10

Edited by slawek371 on Tuesday 8th April 15:11

[anonymous-user]

Cant see the pictures but You can choose whatever replacements you want providing the following is considered;

Replacement forks are within 20mm travel of your original forks otherwise you will bugger up the geometry;
Replacement forks have the same steerer tube width, assume its 1 1/8" non tapered;
Replacement forks have the same front axle size, assume its 9mm QR.

Depends on your budget but RockShox TK28s or XC30s are worth a look.

[P-Jay]

Can't give you much good news.

Your current forks are ready for the bin, they're wrecked and dangerous.

As you're currently running rim brakes, you're going to have a limited number of new forks available to you.

If you can find rigid forks that fit your bike and have fitment for rim brakes, get them, your current fork isn't helping you.

[slawek371]

U couldn't see piectures because i copied URL from my facebook photos so i think it's because u are not in my contacts,

i uploaded it to some page, i hope u can see it now

this is the hole, do u think i can ride with hole like that, is there a chance that it can break ? :
http://postimg.org/image/tmjszbsg3/

this is my bike,i'm thinking if it's good idea to put there rigid fork:
http://postimg.org/image/k4kk6gv59/

Edited by slawek371 on Tuesday 8th April 15:13

[lufbramatt]

I run a Salsa CroMoTo rigid fork on the front of my Orange EVO2. Cost about £80 I think. Suprizingly comfortable as the legs taper down quite a lot which takes some of the sting out of the trail. Very precise steering and reasonably light yet nice and strong- the cheap Chinese made carbon forks always left me slightly doubtful as to how long they would last.

Personally I'd run rigid unless you have about £250+ to spend on a set of bouncy forks.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 8th April 15:45

[gazza285]

I've raced XC on rigids and I'm not the only one. Good suspension forks if you can afford some, or I have Exotic Carbon rigids on my Singlespeed.

[Gizmoish]

I'd get some carbon rigid forks to be honest.

Or a whole new bike.

[slawek371]

Carbon forks are quite expensive, can't it be a Cro-mo fork ? like this for 25 dollars -->

http://www.ebay.com/itm/26-Cro-mo-Replacement-MTB-...

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bicycle-2011-Mosso-MTB-Alu...

If the only difference is weight then i would like cheaper one, it's still much lighter than suspension fork.
Does carbon fork has some other benefits ?

Edited by slawek371 on Wednesday 9th April 02:54

[Gizmoish]

Carbon forks are lighter and absorb buzz.

[gazza285]

Do not buy the Mosso ones, not light, but very rigid and unforgiving.

[slawek371]

Does mosso's fork stifness really have such a difference in absorbing shocks comparing to carbon one ? Isn't tire width and pressure the main thing which decide about that ?